Ready for the Storm

We just had one of the most amazing storms here in central Ohio.  The tornado sirens were blaring, and at one point lightening struck so close to us, it made a huge cracking sound that was deafening.  We had to get the cats into carriers and take cover, it was all so close.  My sister was over, and the three of us had to jam in a closet when a huge gush of wind swept by, making me think there was a tornado in our back yard.  It may have been a dramatic response, but I was in a better safe than sorry mood.

It's amazing that the sky can be so light and so dark at the same time.

I couldn't help from seeing the beauty in the storm, even in the midst of a sort of chaos.  I had trouble tearing myself away from the window at first, even though it is not a safe place to be.  I watched a sheet of rain blow in from our upstairs window, and the lightning was so thick and bright.  There was a moment when we were all in the closet that I felt completely surrounded by, and at the mercy of, nature.  I recalled a dream I had when I was younger that has stuck with me for over 20 years.  In the dream, we were living in our old house in Springfield, IL.  There was a tornado, and we all sat on the stairs going from the kitchen to the basement as the tornado swirled around us.  It completely enveloped the house, and I could see the swirling wind from where I sat.  The tornado was talking to us in it's own way, snarling almost.  And yet I wasn't scared of it.  It was almost as if we were all in it together; us, the tornado, the house.  I'm not sure how else to describe the feeling.

Proof that good comes with the bad.

I left the windows open at first: 1. because I like them open during storms so I can see and smell everything, and 2. because that's what we always did growing up when there was a tornado, and so I thought it was the right thing to do.  My sister, however, informed me this time around that you are actually supposed to close the windows:

To get to the very center of a mature tornado (where the pressure may be low enough to cause some explosive effects), the windows would have to endure 100-200 mph winds in the walls of the vortex. Those winds would be laden with boards, stones, cars, trees, telephone poles, and the neighbor's roof shingles as well as wind pressure of more than 100 pounds per square foot. This barrage would blow more than enough ventilation holes in the building to allow any pressure difference to be equalized.  Even with the windows closed, most houses and commercial buildings have enough openings to vent the pressure difference in the time that it takes for a tornado to pass.

                        ~Tornado Project

If you would like to learn more about Tornado Safety, visit FEMA.

My thoughts are with those who have not been as fortunate as us.

1. By horrormove on Deviant Art   2. By Eric Nguyen on picbitz

Nick Nolte has a pet crow!

While on the computer last night, Oscar dresses floating merrily in the background on tv, I overheard a bit of news that delighted me: Nick Nolte has had two pet crows.  One, named John David Crow, appeared with him in the movie U-Turn.

I promptly told Will, to which he replied "no" jokingly:)  But I've always thought it would be nice to wake up to a friendly neighborhood crow, even if the same one just came round every now and then to say hello.

You can watch the video here, and learn more about having crows as pets here.

Picture from Cavemen Go.

Daisies

Meg Ryan's character said it best in the movie You've Got Mail: "Aren't daisies the friendliest flower?"  I couldn't agree more.  Daisies are number one on my list of favorite flowers, being so open, light and cheery.  So here are some to brighten your day!

(1. Fine Art America  2. Wallpapers Wide  3. Impartial Expectations  4. Flower Picture Gallery  5. Wedding Bee)

The Lovely Agnes Obel

Yesterday I posted about the fantastic Dolly Parton, an icon through the ages.  Today I want to share with you Agnes Obel, a new(er) singer/songwriter whom I adore.  Take a listen: I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Wouldn't You Like To Go To...

...Fairbanks, Alaska?

As winter truly sets in, I've been thinking more and more about ice and polar bears, and escaping to see the Northern Lights.  Now is the perfect time to catch them in Alaska, as they are at their strongest between December and March.  

The red aurora is said to be the most rare, caused by high altitude oxygen mixed in with the colliding gas particles.

The Chena Hot Springs Resort, about an hour outside of Fairbanks, looks like a fantastic place to stay.  I love the idea of the hot springs in the morning before setting about your day.  You can even elect to get an Aurora Borealis wake up call, since they are best seen past midnight.

I love that this map shows the way to the North Pole!

Scientists are predicting 2013 to be the height of Aurora activity in this particular lights cycle.  Wouldn't it be amazing to see? 

Wouldn't You Like To Go To...

...Urnatur?

I came across this beautiful nature resort from an Anthropologie email a while back.  The email guided me to their Anthropologist webpage, and this video.  Enjoy the serenity.



Urnatur is Swedish for "ancient nature".  Can't you just imagine little fairies and gnomes moving through the woods?  Here are some photos from this dream of a place set deep in the forest...

Throwback Post #1

Since there are only T minus 5 days until the New Year, I thought I'd write about some amazing times we've had this past year.  Throwback Post #1 goes to: Hocking Hills!  We spent Halloween weekend In an amazing cabin with these people:
 

It also happened to be my golden birthday on the 29th.

(Will and I went as Wendy and Stan from South Park!)

There were some cool old abandoned sheds on the property...

 

Will and I also went to Hocking Hills for our anniversary:)  It was our first date two years ago, and we celebrated by staying in this fantastic retreat called Silver Wolf Cabin, complete with hot tub and Majestic Wolf decor!

It was a perfect few days...

I can't wait to go back next year.